Attendance

• All absences must be reported before 10:00 a.m.

• Any student's absence of more than 3 consecutive days must be accompanied by a doctor's note.

• Medical notes or reported absences must be received within 3 days of absence.

• When a student is absent from class for a medical or legal appointment, the absences will be excused when the school is provided with documentation from the medical or legal provider.

• A student whose absence is excused for an appointment with a healthcare professional shall not be penalized for the absence if the student commences classes or returns to school on the same day of the appointment and brings a note from the healthcare professional verifying the appointment. A consultation over the phone or via video (telemedicine) is considered an appointment with a healthcare professional. An appointment with a school nurse is not considered a meeting with a healthcare professional for school funding purposes. (per Texas Education Agency Student Attendance Policy).

If the nurse sends the student home sick for the day, the absence will be excused. (If the student is absent the following day please report above.)

• If a student is absent for the entire school day due to a doctor's appointment, the absence will be excused with documentation from the appointment.

Compulsory Attendance:
All students enrolled in public schools in Texas are required by state law to be in attendance at least 90% of the total school days in each semester to receive credit for the classes in which they are enrolled. Failure to attend at least 90% of the school days may result in loss of credit and cause a student to have to repeat some or all of the courses for that semester/year.

Excused Absences:
State law and school guidelines governing attendance require that excused absences pertain to illnesses, medical or legal appointments, funerals of immediate family members, college days and school-sponsored trips. Leaving town for vacation is not an excused absence. 

Excused Absences: 

• Documented health care appointment if student attends part of school day

• Documented US Citizenship proceedings 

• Religious holy days- written documentation by parent/guardian

• Required court appearances- appropriate documentation provided

• Higher education visits (2 per year for only Juniors and Seniors) - must provide documentation on college letterhead

• Court ordered/DFPS required activity - appropriate documentation provided

• Student learner’s/driver’s license appt. (max 1 each at PHS only) - appropriate documentation provided

• Serious or life-threatening illness (must meet specific state requirements)

• Serving as an election clerk (must meet specific state requirements) - appropriate documentation provided

• Military dependent child visiting parent before, during after deployment (must meet specific state requirements)

• Participation in UIL school sponsored events - documentation provided by coach/sponsor

• Participation in stock shows with note from extension agent

• 17 year old trying to enlist in Military (must meet state requirements) - appropriate documentation provided

• Playing TAPS at Texas Military Funeral (6th – 12th graders) - appropriate documentation provided

   

Excused Absences that may affect credit:

• Parent Note (5 days per school year)

• Documented health care appointment but the student did not attend school the same day

Unexcused Absences: 

• Parent Note (6th day +)

• Any other undocumented absence

• All transportation changes must be made before 2:30 p.m.
• If your child’s end-of-day plan needs to change, please contact the front office before 2:30 p.m. so we can notify teachers and ensure students get home safely.